Container construction



E. N. BURNETT CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Sept. 8, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. E'ouemo/M BUR/VISIT BY WM *4 M4 Se t. 8,1953 E. N. BURNETT 2,551,449

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V ENTOR. Eowmo/M BUR/V677 By W Se t. 8, 1953 E. N. BURNETT CONTAINERCONSTRUETION Filed Jan. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Faun/21a fV.Bulawarr BY Se t. 8, 1953 E. N. BURNETT 2,651,449

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 7 Filed Jan. 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

" EDWARD /v. BURNETT Sept. 8, 1953 E. N. BURNETT CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. EDWARD IV. BURNETTATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 8, 1953 CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Edward N.Burnett, San Lorenzo, Calif., assignor to Gerber Products Company,Fremont, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 28, 1950,Serial No. 141,150

12 Claims. 1

,This invention relates to an'improved container construction.Reference'is maderto my co-pending application Serial Number 112,886,filed August 29, 1949, for Container Construction, now abandonedand ofwhich this application is a continuation-in-part,

The particular embodiment of my invention which is illustrated inthe'drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detailcomprises, generally, a pair of closed identically formed box units,each of which is provided with mutually interlocking parts to permit thetwo individual box units to be locked together to form a unitary boxconstruction. As will hereinafter appear each of the individual boxunits may be formed from one integral blank of material, such ascorrugated cardboard or the like.

In the shipment of certain types of goods and particularly goodscontained in relatively small cans or bottles, such as baby foods,medicines, etc., it has generally been the custom to package the goodsin inner cartons or containers and to place several of these innercartons within a relatively larger and sturdier outer shipping carton orcase. Obviously, such practices require the utilization of considerablematerial in making both inner and outer cartons, and, moreover,considerable labor and equipment is involved just in packaging the goodsfor shipment.

Recently there have appeared on the market several types of boxconstructions designed to obviate the necessity of employing both innerand outer containers. One type of box construction, for example,comprises two individual box units made of relatively heavy gaugepaperboard material (such as is normally employed in conventional outercases or containers) which are glued to a heavy paper pad and heldtogether at their tops with a seal formed of similar material. Two boxunits so assembled form a unitary two section container.

Another similar type of box construction con sists of two partitionedbox units stitched together adjacent their bottom extremities by twostrips of suitable material and held together at their tops by a gluedor stitched seal or pad. In each of the above instances the pads, stripsand seals are separate pieces from the box units which they are adaptedto join together.

The present invention provides an improved box construction whichutilizes two individual and completely closed box units provided withmutually interlocking members to affix'them rigidly and securely to oneanother. A double wall forming a central partition is established by thejoining and interlocking of the two box units together. It iscontemplated that a packer or'shipper will pack each individual box unitwith a predetermined number of cans or bottles'and after each unit isfully packed the units will be paired ofi and locked to one another toform the'larger size unitary box constructions.

The advantages of such shipping container made up of a plurality ofindividual box units interlocked together are numerous. In the firstplace, a shipper or manufacturer of canned or bottled goods can shipthe'larger containers to warehouses or central distributing points, andbecause of the fact that each of the shipping containers is made up of aplurality of individual box units interlocked together, the warehousemenor distributors may divide the larger box constructions into theircomponent box units and sell to retailers or customers in box unit lotsif so desired. The interlocking means are such that it is a relativelysimple matter to split the units apart by cutting through the materialforming the said interlocking means, and, moreover, the

entire construction is designed to permit the separation of box unitsone from the other without causing them to open or in any way exposingthe packed contents to dustrand deterioration and/ or damage in furthertransit.

Another advantage of the present box construction is that the individualbox units are of themselves made of relatively heavy outer casingmaterial and can withstand reshipment and rough handling which goodspacked in conventional inner cartons or containers could not withstand.

Another advantage that the present box construction afiords is thatretailers can divide a shipping case into its component individual boxunits as heretofore suggested and place only the contents of a singlebox unit on the shelf at one time if so desired. The emptied box unitcan be disposed of and no space is wasted by having to store half emptycases or cartons. Further, the unpacked products are maintained in cleancondition during prolonged storage and prior to final retail display.Also, a retailer may sell the contents of a single box unitto a customerfor convenient transportation.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a boxconstruction comprising a number of individual closed box units which,in turn, are provided with mutually interlocking parts to permit thesecure joinder of at least two such units together to form a relativelylarger unitary shipping case or the like.

actin a finished box construction according to the pres;

ent invention. as is required to make a comparable size shippingcontainer according moon.- yntional practice wherein both inner andouter cartons are employed. Mor er, a savings'in' materia1 results in asaving b'y weightf'anda ship per using the present box construction willbenefit by substantial savings in sliippingandfreight rates based onweight. Less glue and inkare required to seal and print.v thecontainer"vvhich is the subject of this invention than when both innrand'outer cartcns'are employed.

' Another obj ect 'of the prjesent'invention is to. provide'a boxconstruction wherein each individual' box unit is formed from oneintegral piece orbla" nk of material, thus eliminating the necessity forrabr'icaungwa plurality ofl'se'parate' bdX parts, such aspadsor'stit'ching strips or thelike. A particular disadvantage inmanufacturing box units from "a" plurality of separate and nonintgral'parts is that :more equipment generally is required to producethefindividual parts and t6 assembly and fabricatethe partsinto finishedboxummr "Another object of the present invention is to provide aboxconstruction. of the type hereina'bove characterized which 'when' notin use may be "storedasa substantiallyfl'at' blank thereby resulting ina'savingcsstcra ge space;

Another object' 'of thejpresent invention is to provide a boxcdnstructi'onwhich is particularly adaptable for relatively simple andinexpensive manufacture.

"The ea'se'of packing and forming a plurality of box unitsinto-aninterlocked container for shipnient and/or storage is r a principaladvantage of the "invention. It? has been found through actualexperience that the'amo'unt of equipment and labor necessary to"pack-and rea'dythe new package for shipment according to the presentinventionis approximately 50% less than required to pack andrea'dyconventional shipping containers which incorporate both innencartons andouter. casings.

Further objects of. the present. invention. will become apparent uponreading the following specification. and referring to the. accompanyindrawings. whichysimilar characters of refer.- ence; represent.correspondingparts in each, of the severalviews.

In. t e drawings:

ile. s. lan. v awof. a. an rom. h ch a b SH iiL IQ TFI Q i 2 a explode vw in. arsnecti coft c boxi onst uc i n.comprising twoindi idua ox uni nshowin por ion if. a unit roken awa la .persp s iv yiemqithe bq cqn iristion comprising two box. interlocked toa d hqvi es aia ar 35 a ig. is aplan view ofa blank from which a d c liir qiien' er s a m Fig. 5, is:an. exploded View in'perspe ctive of the modified. box construction ofFig. 4.

"Fig"; 6 is a clam/r wfiof j blank from which another n'io'difie' x'ionstriiction "may" be formed. l

Fig. '7 is an exploded view in perspective of the modified boxconstruction of Fig. 6, and showing certain parts broken away.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the modified box construction of Fig. '7comprising two box units interlocked together.

Fig. 9 is a schematicvieyvshowing means for closing the boxconstructions 'shov'vii' in'Figs. 6 tog.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings there is illustrated aunitary box construcinterlockedtogetlier in a manner to be describedhereinafter in greater detail.

Ihepattern cut-out or blank of material out of which each individual boxunit may be formed is illustrated in Fig. 1. The blank may be formed ofany suitable and adaptable-shipping container material, suchascor-rugated cardboard. or the like. The blank' maybe considered ascomprising essentially four princip al central panels in dicated at I,2, 3 and 4, respectively, and. eight flap members which are identifiedrespectively at 5, 6, I, 8, 9, I0, I land-l2;

More specifically, the blank. isprovidedwith a pair of longitudinally.extendingparallel score lines 1 3 and '14. Transverse slitsi5;and.l6,,are

formed in the blank and each extends inwardly from the left edge ofthe.blank tothe. score line 13. Transverse slits l1. and. I8, similartoslitsv I5. and I6, extendinwardly from the right. edge of the blank toscore line. l4. Angular cut-outs l9 and 20. areformed. in the. blank andextendv inwardly iromthe left. and. right edges oflthe blank,respectively, to. meet scorelinesj I 3..and; [4, respectively.

Spaced transverse score lines. 2i. and 22 ex: tend in straight. linesbetween slits. l5.'fl and l 6--! 8, respectively. Score line. 2.3extends. trans: versely' across the. blank between. cut-outs. l9; and20.

It is thus readily seen. that. the arrangement of the various slitsandscore. linesahovefidentie fled define the various panel andflap.members numbered l.-|2..inclusive, in. the drawings. and' previouslymentionedlhereinabove.

All of the. pane1s ..ar.e, of thesame width, but panels I. and. 3-whichare. of. equal length are shown as being, slightly, shorter than nanclsiand 4,which, in.,turn, areoiequallength.

The ut r e of l ps Brand ip oi st beyond theoutermost edge ls of, panelI to. fo r m. ears 5 and. B,, e inn n d esm andlfiimcfer: bly ut so to.div r eoutward vfrom l ncs. 3. wait. t p rox m lr a .0.? ns ierablv d esand f. an ular cut-outs 9 nd; ariasalonel n srarall lins edges 25 and26, respectively, of the ears.

To s mbiea r. a; iiitsv i s s i of v a iv sm e ribrm dn eri s which isparticularly des ableji the containers are used to pack glass contaners. entails the following p (A) The blankofeach unit.is folded atsuc:cessive ngmg mng sebraiimes Zj;'22. .an"d 2'. This operation vii l theouferi, edge; It. of as mad m; asw of panel 4 and thefo ,p nsgwi1raefinss rec: tangle in. plan. view? K strip. (if-adhesive tape 21or otherTsuitable attachi membenrnavb applied to hold thcjoincd edge oipanel" "I "and panels 4 of each of a pair of units are brought intojuxtaposition.

(C) Flaps 8 and I2 of each unitare folded at a 90 angle with respect topanels 2 and 4.

(D) Glue is applied to the undersides of panels 6 and I of each unit.

(E) Panels 6 and I0 of each unit are folded at a 90 angle with respectto panels I and 3 to overlie and adhere to panels 8 and I2.

(F) Each unit is filled with empty containers at the container factory.

(G) Flaps I and II and then flaps and 9 of each unit are folded down,but not glued.

(H) Boxes are shipped to the cannery when empty containers are removed,filled and then replaced in the box units.

(I) Flaps I and II of each unit are folded down. I V

(J) Glue is applied to the undersides of panels 5 and 9 of each unit.

(K) Flaps 5 and 9 of each unit are folded down at a 90 angle withrespect to panels I and 3 to overlie and adhere to panels I and II.

Another series of operations to assemble a pair of box units, which ispreferable for packing metal containers, entails the following steps:

(A') The blank of each unit is folded at successive 90 angles alongscore lines 2I, 22 and 23. This operation will bring the outer edge I ofpanel I into contact with the outer edge 4 of panel 4 and the fourpanels will define a rectangle in plan view. A strip of adhesive tape 2!or other suitable attaching member may be applied to hold the joinededges of panel I and panel 4 together.

(B) The bottom of'each unit is folded together temporarily by foldingdown flaps 8 and I2 and then flaps 6 and I0. No glue is used at thistime.

(C) Each unit is filled with containers.

(D') Pairs of units are grouped together and panels 4 of each of a pairof units are brought into juxtaposition.

(E') Flaps I and II of each unit are folded down.

(F') Flaps 6 and I0 of each unit are unfolded, the contents of the boxunits being supported by flaps 8 and I2.

(G) Glue is applied to the undersides of each of fiaps 5, 6, 9 and I0 ofeach unit.

(I-I') Flaps 5, 6, 9 and I0 of each unit are folded down. Flaps 5 and 9of each unit overlie and adhere to panels I and II. Flaps 6 and I0 ofeach unit underlie and adhere'to panels 8 and I2.

Figs. 2 and 3 are illustrative of how two fully packed box units B and Cmay be moved into interlocked relationship with respect to one anotherto form a unitary box construction A. These figures also illustrate howangular cutouts I9 and 20 of each box unit are proportioned to formniches or recesses, such as indicated at 30 and 3| to receive the earsof an adjoining box unit.

The advantages of shippingcanned or bottled goods in containers of thecharacter herein described has already been discussed in considerabledetail. As has been mentioned, it is sometimes expedient or desirablefor warehousemen, distributors or retailers after initial shipment ofthe goods to divide a shipping carton into its component box units. InFig. 3 dotted lines 28 indicate the line along which the boxconstruction should be out. It is noted in this respect that a out alongthe indicated dotted line would sever box units B and C from'one anotherat the point of juncture between adjoining side Walls 4 of theinterlocked box units. Thus, each box unit when severed from its mate inthe above manner will remain wholly intact and closed and may, ifdesired, be reshipped without having to repack its contents or reinforcethe box unit in any way.

Further. unit B may be opened and the contents dispensed, while unit Cremains sealed, the contents of unit 0 during this interval beingprotected from dirt and other conditions which might affect themerchantability of the product.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4 and 5 there is illustrated amodification of the container construction which, it is seen, comprisestwo interlocking individual box units, indicated generally'at D and E.

The blank of material from which the modified box construction is formedis illustrated in Fig. 4 and resembles the blank constructionillustrated in Fig. 1 in that there are formed four central panelsidentified at IOI, I02, I03 and I04, respectively, which are defined bya pair of parallel left and right longitudinally extending score lines,H3 and H4, and three transverse score lines I2I, I22 and I23.

The flaps identified at I01, I08, III and H2 are similar to flaps I, 8,II and I2 of the blank shown in Fig. 1 and hereinabove described. It isnoted that in the modified blank construction no flaps corresponding toflaps 9 and I0 are provided. Flaps I05 and I06 of the modified blankconstruction are provided with integrally formed 7 projecting ears I25and I26 having outwardly divergent inner edges I25 and I26 The width ofeach of the flaps I05 and I06 approximately equals the length of eitherof the panels 2 and 4, and said flaps I05 and I06 are formed with earreceiving pattern cut-outs indicated at H9 and I20.

The initial folding operations required to .assemble a box unitfrom ablank proportioned according to the construction illustrated in Fig. 4are substantially identical with the initial folding movements involvedin the assembly of a box unit from a blank proportioned according toFig. 1. More specifically, successive right angle folds along scorelines I2I thru I23, inclusive,

are effected and the edges of panels IM and I04 are secured to oneanother by a strip of gummed tape I 21 or other suitable equivalentmeans. Opposed pairs of flaps I08II2 and I0|-III are then folded atright angles into edge to edge contact with one another to form top andbottom closures for the box unit. Up to this point the steps of assemblyof a box unit from a blank proportioned according to Fig. 4 areidentical with the assembly steps described with respect to forming abox unit from a blank constructed in accordance with Fig. 1.

After the above folding operations have been effected flaps I05 and I06may be folded at right angles to overlie the top and bottom closuremembers I01I II and I08I I2, respectively, and flaps I05 and I06 arepreferably securely glued to said closure members. A strip of gummedtape, suchas indicated at I3I may be employed to secure the edge of eachflap I05 and I06 to an associated end of the box unit.

It is seen that the pattern cut-outs H9 and I20 formed in flaps I05 andI06 present ear receiving niches, such as indicated at I30 and I3I, andthe purposes and function of these niches are substantially the same asniches 30 and M 7 previously described. The box units- 13 and-:EL-may besecurely interlocked to one another by. gluing the ears of each boxunit-within their respective ear receiving niches.-

Referring nowparticularly to Figs. 6 to. 8, thereis-illustrated amodification .of. the contain.- er construction which, it is seen,comprises two interlocking box units indicated generally as F and-G.

The blankor material: from. which this type box is formed is illustratedin Fig. 6: andaitz-will be seen that it resembles :theblank showndn.Fig. 1 except for the reversal ofi position of. certain. of the panelstogether with. their connected-z fiap members and the cutting. away of.corners. of two flap members to permittheiresultantpositioning of theprojecting ears. The resultant-blankrequires less stock for acompletedbox of the same capacity than. that of Fig. 1. Thus. there areforinediour. rectangular central panels, which, proceeding in order fromoneend. of the blank totheother, are identified as 203, 204, 20! and2-02. Panels 203 and 20! aresubstantially of the same size andipanels2M. and202 are also of "the same size. -Said panels are defined bylongitudinal score lines 213;.and2l4- andzby transverse score lines 223,222 and 22 I.

Integrallwith panel 203 are flap. members 209 and 2105. with score lines213" and 2! there between. Said= flaps are notched out as indicatedbyreference numerals 219' and 220., the angle betweentheedges 219% and223 of said flaps-and 'theprojection of: transverse score line 223 beingabout 35?. The. notched out. areas: are for the reception of theprojecting ears 225- and: 2280i the box with which the .box. formedofthe instant blank interfits and hence the notchedout areas are-sodimensioned. Thus line 2-! which defines the .inner. edge ofzflap209*extends outwardly in a straight line until it" intersectsthe.projection of the outer edge of flap 2| I, whereupon it extendsoutwardly perpendicular. to line 2K3: until it reaches a pointdistantfrom line 2la3-about one.- half the length of panel-20:4; Fla-p 2I B is similarly. shapedibyline 220 Ear 225.constitutesan integralextension of flap 205-,- associatedwith panelZiH. Said earls definedb'ycut line 2-25 which extends outward fromthe intersection of lines222-and 2l3 at-an angleofabout 35 until it intersects the-outer edgeofflap 2! i, then proceeds. outward perpendicular to :line 213* tointersect the outer edge of flap205; The line 225 which. separates ear2-25 from flap 2-H thus. cuts offrone of thecorners of said flap. Itwill be seen that this corner is concealed in the completed box and thematerial cut away does not adversely afiectthestrength, appearance orother qualities of-the box. Ear 225 is similarly shaped by line 22 B Theinitial folding operation required to as.- semble a box unit from ablank comprises folding the blank along lines 22L 2-22 and 2-23ryandsecuring theabutting edges. of panels 203*. and 202 together by a stripof gummed tape22-lyor other suitable means. Opposed pairs. of flaps208.2l2 and 201-21! are then folded at right angles into edge to edgecontact with oneanother to. form top and bottom closures forthebox unit.Thereupon fiaps 206-2 i B and 20.5--209=.-are.-fo1ded downwardly tooverlie the top and bottom closure members and are securely glued tosaid topand bottom closure members in a; mannen well @known in the art.

It will be seen that. the out-out portions. 2-19 and 220formed-'in-fiaps- 20 Brand 21 c are. properly 8 shaped? to: receive theprojecting. ears 225: and 226. Thus box units F and G may be securelyinterlockedzbygluing the. ears of each box unit within theinrespectivereceiving niches.

Gnex of; the: advantages. ofg the last-described modified constructionisthe fact that less; stock is required: to.mal e:this modification thanthe others; Another advantage arises in closing the individual boxunitsafterfilling, asillustratedin Eig. 9.. A series. of filled boxunitsare carried along at regularly spaced, intervals on conveyor belt230. which is-here, assumedtobe moving toward theleft. It is assumed:that-the bottoms v of thELbOXdlIlitSs have been assembled withunits Fand G1 inthe position,shown. The contentshave been packed in the box.Paddle 23 .I-is attached to shaft; 232; which iscaused to revolve in I aclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9. Said paddle forcesdown'fiapwhas itrevolves, and, because of the notched out portion offiap 2| I, fiap 2 doesnot: interfere-with the movement of paddle 2.3LFlap 2 11; is then forceddown by shoe 233 as belt 230 moves-forwardly.The other flaps are then folded: down in the a usual manner.

Although thepresent invention has; been described; insome= detail'byway. of illustration and example .fon purposes of; clarity ofunderstanding it.- is. understood that certain changes and modificationsmay be-practicedwithin the-spirit. of the invention andscope of-theappended-claims. For example, although the expression closedbox unit isemployed: in; some of the accompanying claims; it will :be understoodthat boxunits which are apjertured:for ventilation; or other purposes,boxes provided with transparent windows, and other boxun-itsspecia-llyadaptedfor specificuses, maybe employed.

I. claim:

1. A box unit adapted for interlocking with a complementary'boxi-unit-toform av unitary box construction comprising; a. hollowrectangular parallelepiped container, and four flaps constitutingextensions of side members of said container and: closing the topthereof; a first pair of flaps folded downwardly from oppositesideedges. a..second pair-ofifiapsoverlying said first pair-on flaps.-fo1d'ed= downward-lyfrom opposite side edges and meetingapproximatelyalong the center of'thetop of; said-container, one of saidflaps of said secondgpair-oifiaps having a projecting; extending; beyondthe confines of said-"container; and the other of said flaps of saidsecond pair o f-fiapshavinga cut-out portiondimensioned: and; positionedto receive the projecting ear of a complementary box unit.

2 Alboxunitas-de fined-in claim 1 and wherelIit1 1e;.sides-.. of.said-container are joined along one side;edge-ythereof,saidlast-mentioned flap of said-second pair of flaps constituting. anextension; o f--one of the; sides ot said container joined. at; saidside edge, and. the first-mentioned;- fiap'; of said-second. pair offlaps constitoting an extension of-the side of said-container oppositesaid last-mentioned side.

3; A blanhfer; a-bo-xmnit-of the characterdescribed: Comprising; fourrectangular central panels alternate panels being substantiallyequally-dimensioned; and: all of said panels having common side edgeseach 05 said central panels! having. an; integral; fia-p--projectingbeyond eachsideedge; the-flaps along one side, of'saidblanlgbeing inconsecutive order, afirst flap, rectangulari-inshape asecond: flap having a projecting. ear extending upwardly at an angle warfrom saidizfirstiflapia third ap generally rectangular but cut away atone corner to provide stock for said projecting ear and a fourth flapcut away at a corner adjacent said third flap, the cut away portionbeing of the same shape as the ear of said second flap.

4. A blank as defined in claim 3 and wherein the four flaps along theother side of said blank are formed in the same manner as the four flapsalong the first side of said blank.

5. A plural box construction comprising, a first container unit and asecond container unit, each of said units comprising a hollow,rectangular, parallelepiped container and having two top and two bottomouter closure flaps folded at right angles inwardly from andconstituting extensions of sides of said units, one top outer fiap ofeach unit having an integral projecting tongue extending beyond theconfines of its unit, and one outer top flap of each unit having a nichedimensioned and positioned to receive the projecting tongue of thecomplementary unit, said tongue projecting beyond the same edge of saidunit as that edge from which said niche extends inward, the tongue ofeach unit overlapping and being joined to the complementary unit.

6. A plural box construction according to claim 5 in which the two outerbottom flaps of each unit are formed in the same manner as the two outertop flaps of the same unit.

'7. A plural box construction comprising, a first container unit and asecond container unit, each of said units comprising a hollowparallelepiped container, closure flaps folded inwardly from andconstituting extensions of sides of said units, and a projecting tongueon a first surface of each unit extending outwardly from one edge of thetop of said first surface beyond the confines of its unit, said firstsurface of each unit also being provided with a, niche, each said nicheextending inwardly from the same edge as that from which said tongueextends outwardly, each said niche being dimensioned and positioned toreceive a projecting tongue of the complementary unit, each said tongueoverlapping and being joined to a complementary unit.

8. A plural box construction according to claim 7 in which said firstsurfaces of said units and the respective tongues engaging therewith arecoplanar.

9. A box construction according to claim 7 in which each said tongue isformed as an integral portion of the blank of material out of which thebox unit from which it projects is formed.

10. A box unit, adapted for interlocking with another box unit to form aunitary box construction, comprising, .a closed box structure presentingsix substantially flat plane surfaces comprising top, bottom, and fourside forming members, and two substantially identical ears formed asintegral portions of the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of thebox structure projecting outwardly in the same direction beyond one ofsaid sides and substantially coplanar with the surface with which theyare formed, said top and bottom surfaces each being formed with a nicheshaped complementary to an ear, said niches extending inwardly from thesame side as that beyond which said ears project.

11. A box construction comprising, a pair of individual closed boxunits, each said unit having top closure fiaps formed by foldingextensions of side members, and a projecting ear on the top of each saidunit formed as an integral extension of one of the top closure flaps ofsaid unit, each said ear overlapping and. being joined to the topsurface of the adjoining unit of said pair of units, and in which a topclosure flap of each said unit is provided with a niche positioned anddimensioned to receive the projecting ear of the adjacent unit.

12. A box construction comprising a pair of individually closed boxunits, each box unit formed from an integral blank of material andhaving bottom, top, end and side forming members, and mutualinterlocking means formed as integral portions of the blanks of thematerial out of which said box units are formed to per mit said boxunits to be interlocked together to form a unitary box construction,said interlocking means comprising a first ear projecting outwardly froma first surface of a first box unit and overlapping and joined to afirst surface of an adjoining second box unit and a second earprojecting outwardly from said first surface of said second box unit andoverlapping and joined to said first surface of said first box unit,said first surfaces of said box units being substantially co-planar, andwherein a niche located adjacent and co-planar with each projectingportion of each box unit is formed receiving in nested position andfilled by a projecting ear of the adjoining box unit.

EDWARD N. BURNETT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,413,108 Dyer Apr. 18, 1922 2,327,529 Kieckhefer Aug. 24,1943 2,329,628 Lanigan Sept. 14, 1943 2,361,650 Potts Oct. 31, 1944

